Standard Chartered Vietnam has partnered with Saigon Children’s Charity (saigonchildren) to carry out their first ever mentoring programme “Big Buddy – Little Buddy” in the community, for 28 disadvantaged Vietnamese students.
During the last three months, Standard Chartered volunteered mentors spent one to two hours every weekend helping their mentees on various topics such as career orientation, goal setting and strategy, basic HR knowledge and soft skills required in the professional working environment.
All mentors brought their inspiration into discussions on how to become a good team manager and leader. They also gave advice to students on mental health management as well as women’s health care.
“As a responsible bank, supporting communities is a key focus of our operations. Big Buddy - Little Buddy is a meaningful program as we can help more students live up to their dreams and realise their potential," said Trinh Nhu Quynh, head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing.
"We will continue to offer strong support and deliver our commitment to the community through various initiatives such as financial education and mentorship to disadvantaged students conducted online and supporting ethnic minority students and teachers”
Damien Roberts, executive director of Saigon Children’s Charity, said: “Standard Chartered has long been one of Saigon Children’s Charity most reliable partners because the team truly represents corporate values here for good that creates a long-term positive impact for disadvantaged communities.
"During the pandemic, the bank has supported thousands of children through our organisation to be able to feed many vulnerable families, ensuring they could survive without any income and get over the long lockdown.”
My Duyen, a student of the programme, said: “I would like to extend sincere thanks to Saigon Children’s Charity and Standard Chartered Vietnam for giving us an opportunity to join the Big Buddy - Little Buddy programme. I’ve changed a lot after 3 months joining the programme and became more open and confident. Big Buddy - Little Buddy not only creates a learning-sharing connection among mentors and mentees but also gives us a feeling of being cared for as a family.”
During the lockdown, many mentees experienced difficulties in their lives when they got stuck in HCM City or Binh Duong without part-time jobs or financial support, even lack of food.
Standard Chartered mentors contributed their money to help mentees and other disadvantaged students of Saigon Children’s Charity, as well as donated to the “Em Khong Le Loi” charity fund managed by Saigon Children’s Charity to support orphans who lost parents due to COVID-19. — VNS